A two-man delegation from the Association of Small-Scale Enterprise in Tourism (ASSET), Sheirk Tijan Nyan and Daouda Nyang, returned home on October 17, 2007, after attending a two-day working visit to Dakar, Senegal to finalise the arrangement of the MBOKA 2007, and the Senegambia Tourism Fair, due to take place from 31st October to 4th November, this year.

The event is jointly organised by ASSET The Gambia and the National Organisation for Tourism Integration (ONITS).

The event was not meant for exhibition, but to expose them to export markets.

According to Sheikh Tijan Nyang, who led the delegation and doubles as the Chairman of the Trade Fair Committee, tourism is playing an important part in the development of the sub-region, not only in economic terms, but also in the preservation of our rich cultural heritage and the environment. “To develop tourism and indeed our whole economy along sustainable guides, we have to take into consideration, socio-cultural, environmental and economic principles. This is why this fair is themed under the motto,” he said.

He revealed that the event will be held in Place De La Independence in Dakar, to be presided by Alhagie Abdoulie Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal and Angella Colley, Secretary of State for Tourism in The Gambia, together with her delegation from The Gambia, including Kaliba Senghore, Director-General, Gambia Tourism Authority,

The participants and sponsors to this event will also include the association of Fashion Designers of The Gambia, Food Processors Association, Wood Carvers Association (WCA), Society of Gambian Sculptors (SGS), Eco-tourism Camps (EC), National Beekeepers Association (NBA), Solar Project Gambia (SPG), Gambia Hotel Association (GHA), Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), Gambia Tourism and Travel Association (GTTA), Slok Air International, Gambia is Good (GIG) among others.

The Gambia , he said, is considered to be one of the leading countries in responsible tourism conference, to be conducted by Daouda Nyang, Development Manager for ASSET, and moderated by Adama Bah, Chairman of ASSET.

It   will be chaired by Kaliba Senghore, Director-General of the Gambia Tourism Authority.   Other events of the fair include various cultural events, fashion shows and an award ceremony.

Participants will also include officials of the Nigeria Tourism Office, Ghana Tourism Federation and Senegalese tourism stakeholders.

He stressed that the invitation to both Ghanaian and Nigerian tourism stakeholders, is meant to continue the already established regional tourism partnership development master plan.